Soyabean Allergy
What is Soyabean Allergy Test
Soyabean allergy is a type of food allergy. For most people, consuming soy or foods that contain soy in their diet is harmless. However, in a few individuals the proteins in the soy are sometimes mistaken as invaders to their immune system and it starts producing antibodies against them.
Soyabean allergy test looks for IgE antibodies specific to soybean in individuals’ blood. It is mostly seen in infants and children of younger age.
Symptoms of hypersensitivity
The most common symptoms of soyabean allergy include:
Shortness of breath
Diarrhea
Dizziness
Fainting
Anaphylaxis
Who should get tested?
Soyabean allergy test is recommended for:
Infants and young children
Individuals with other food allergies
Individuals who have a family history of soy allergy
Test preparation
Soya bean allergy test can be done in two ways. Blood test and skin prick test.
Blood test:
During a lab test, your healthcare provider will insert a small needle into a vein in your arm and collect a few mL of blood. This blood sample is added with soy proteins to measure the levels of IgE antibodies in it, if any.
Skin prick (scratch) test:
Body areas such as the forearm or upper back will be cleaned with iodine or alcohol before testing. Later, a small scratch is made to the skin and a small amount of liquid containing soy proteins is added to it. After a few minutes (15 or more), your allergist measures any discolored spots on your skin or controls for the test with a ruler.
Interpretation of results:
An allergy is typically indicated by a high level of IgE antibodies specific to Soyabean.
|
Class |
Levels of specific IgE – Kilo Units per Litre (kU/L) |
Interpretation |
|
0 |
<0.10 |
Negative |
|
0/1 |
0.10-0.31 |
Low/equivocal |
|
1 |
0.32-0.55 |
Low |
|
2 |
0.56-1.40 |
Moderate |
|
3 |
1.41-3.90 |
High |
|
4 |
3.91-19.0 |
Very High |
|
5 |
19.01-100.0 |
Very High |
|
6 |
> or =100 |
Very High |
Deviations from normal ranges:
- The presence of IgE antibodies in serum increases the risk of having an allergic illness.
- A higher total IgE level is frequently a symptom of allergies, including soyabean allergy.
- In some cases, parasite infections are also associated with elevated IgE levels.
FAQs
What is the turnaround time (TAT) for soyabean allergy test?
The test results for soya bean allergy are usually available within 6 – 8 business days after the sample collection.
Are there any risks associated with soyabean allergy test?
No, there are no potential risks associated with soya bean allergy test. However, all blood tests come at the expense of negligible risks such as a slight sting or bruise at the sample collection site. It usually resolves within a few minutes to hours. Rarely, the site can become infected.
Can one outgrow soyabean allergy in their life?
Yes. Usually, infants and young children who are allergic to soybean at an early age have shown to outgrow their allergies related to soybean as they get older. Therefore, it is possible that one outgrows their soya bean allergy over time.
How can I prevent future allergic reactions to soy?
The simple and best way to prevent soya bean allergy is to avoid foods and drinks that contain soy in it. A few well-known examples of food that contains soy include,
Soy in all forms including soy flour, soy fiber, soy albumin, soy grits, soy sauce, tofu, soybean (curd and granules), soy milk, textured vegetable protein, etc.
Is soybean oil safe for individuals suffering from soy allergies?
Refined soybean oil is usually safe for individuals suffering from soy allergies. However, having an expert consultation before consuming it may help rule out any other possibilities of reactions in them. Nonetheless, looking for other substitutes for soybean oil such as olive or canola oil can prove to be helpful.
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